Karina sighed, feeling the weight of the vicious loop.

She let her shoulders slump as she pulled herself out of her chair. Chirping birds outside her window confirmed things she had known: inescapably, it was all kicking into motion all over again. Whatever it was, it inevitably led to the same place.

She mechanically walked in the direction of the locker room. Her movements were automatic; her mind was dull, exhausted by frustration.

"Just another me, just another day, another annoying time," she muttered within her own soul as she unlocked her dressing-changing cubicle in order to reach her spare uniform.

She stared at the reflection in the small mirror that lined the locker door: dark circles under her eyes, heavy lines forming around her mouth.

"I must look like I've been through hell," she muttered, rubbing her face to try and wake herself up, but nothing seemed to change. She was still trapped in this endless loop with no way out.

But Karina's fingers strayed across her uniform, sharp-pressed and starched, still waiting for her to slide into the part she was inured to play-perfect, composed, and responsible. Yet Karina didn't give two hoots for appearances anymore. Not when everything that she did was smudged away by tomorrow.

She scrunched up her fists, itchy frustration pent in her.

"Alright, Karina," she whispered into the darkness of the room, "you're going to get it this time. You have to."

She headed to the bathroom. She washed her face, hoping that cold water would bring her out of the daze she'd lost in. She stood in front of the mirror, took a deep breath.

"Time to break the rules," she muttered rather to herself than to anyone.

Today would be different, or at least she would make sure it was.

As Karina sat slumped over her desk with thoughts swirling inside her head about her position and the aggravating conversation with Winter, something clicked.

Her exhaustion dissipated instantly as she sat upright, gazing wide-eyed at a realization that, somehow not logically possible, was unthinkable in a certain way, yet completely plausible.

Winter had been on the rooftop on the second loop, and on the third loop, it was at the ground floor near the garden, the events happening roughly in tandem with one another.

But how? Everyone else appeared to act like they do in the loops: the same sequence over and over.

Except for Winter.

Karina's head was overtime.

Could Winter somehow be different? A variable in the loop?

She'd been reliving the same day over and over, but Winter's actions hadn't been the same.

Her heart thumped at the thought.

Could Winter know something? Or be involved in the loop somehow?

With that idea, some comfort, or perhaps hope, washed over Karina. Maybe if Winter wasn't so different, she could make a difference. Perhaps she wasn't alone in this nightmare experience. Karina didn't hesitate, pushing her chair back as scraping filled the vacated classroom.

She took a deep breath to steady herself, then rose, rushing from the room. If she could just find Winter, perhaps she'll be in a position to get some answers.

She ran fast, her heart thumping wildly with a new sense of purpose as she headed toward the roofline, knowing that is where she'd find Winter, at least on the second loop. This time around, things were going to be different.

Giselle breezes onto the grounds, smiling brightly, greeting Karina with a cheerful beam. Karina barely nods in response; her head's too packed to return the energy.

She bounces the leg; she stands just inside the entrance, eyes scanning around, flicking between the road and the school grounds. She keeps glancing at the clock on her phone, her heart racing as the minute hand inched closer toward the start of class.

Just one minute left.

Disappointment settling in her chest, she huffed out a deep breath and sat against the gate. Winter wasn't even approaching yet. Karina's moment of clarity slipped away from her. Even winter won't arrive during the break, maybe. It was like trying to catch a shadow-every time it was coming close and would then disappear.

Giselle soaked in the frenetic energy Karina was radiating, arching an eyebrow, but nothing was said as she continued toward school.

Karina, however, had made her decision. No more explanations for now. Telling Giselle about the loop wouldn't help, and she didn't want to continue hearing that she sounded crazy.

Karina decided to lay low until the break. There was one thing she wanted and one thing alone: She had to find Winter.

And if she had to get through all hell breaking loose, so be it. The rest of the day could fall apart around her, but Karina wouldn't care if she only could talk to Winter to confirm her suspicions.

Her heart thudding against the ribcage, Karina stepped inside. Without looking back, she made her way down the hallway to her room, her mind already planning and preparing for the break and what she would say when she finally found Winter.

Karina didn't wait until the bell had rung but sprinted past Giselle just as she ducked in time to hit the rooftop. Her heart was pounding more from the sprint than anything else, but it could be from the pending excitement too. She threw open the top door, and immediately felt her lungs are on fire from the stairs.

There she was-Winter, casually slumped against the shade wall with one foot propped up as well, arms folded across her chest. Without looking up, she spoke in a bored tone, "Why do you always run?"

Just as Karina was about to say something, she could not. Winter's comment was cold confirmation of what she feared. Her heart had quickened in her chest, but now it was from anticipation rather than fear.

A smile began to take over her face as she straightened up, standing herself more upright.

"Now you know," she said, her legs carrying her forward into Winter with long strides that echoed through the stillness.

Winter furrowed her brows at the approach of the president, who exuded an aura that was just not right.

"What is that look?" she muttered to herself, a shadow of nervousness creeping into a normally smooth inner voice. The intense glint and purposeful stride of Karina did not settle down well. Something was amiss.

Without so much as a phrase, Karina slammed her hands down onto Winter's shoulders, grip tight. Winter flinched, confusion brimming in the eyes.

"Tell me everything," Karina growled in a voice low but fierce.

Winter blinked, trying to present her usually cool and collected self, but Karina's stare was like an icepick to her soul.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Winter stammered, though her voice didn't hold any real conviction.

Karina seemed to have no patience with that nonsense, leaning in closer as annoyance simmered beneath her skin.

"Don't even try to play dumb with me, Winter. I'm not about to let you get away this time." Her glare was sharp and filled with determination.

Realizing that there was no way out, Winter let out a deep sigh, raising her arms up in a gesture of defeat.

"Okay, fine. I'll tell you everything," she muttered, nodding slowly. There was no use in hiding it any longer.